Hungary has formally announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — currently the subject of an ICC arrest warrant — arrived in Budapest for a state visit.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government stated that the move was prompted by what it called the court’s “cynical and unacceptable” actions, referring to the ICC’s warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Orban, a long-time ally of Netanyahu, criticized the ICC’s decision as politically motivated and claimed it undermined the court’s credibility.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest on 3 April 2025. AFP
Gergely Gulyas, Orban’s chief of staff, explained that although Hungary ratified the ICC’s founding Rome Statute in 2001, it was never incorporated into Hungarian law, effectively shielding the country from the court’s jurisdiction. “No measure of the court can be carried out within Hungary,” he added.
The Hungarian government confirmed that it would begin the official year-long withdrawal process on Thursday. A bill enabling the exit is expected to pass easily in parliament, which is dominated by Orban’s Fidesz party.
The announcement coincides with Netanyahu’s controversial visit to Hungary following the ICC’s arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in acts of murder, persecution, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war — all part of what ICC judges described as a “systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza.” The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Netanyahu’s arrival in Budapest has reignited debate over international justice, sovereignty, and political alliances, especially within the European Union, where Hungary’s decision to break ranks with ICC obligations could have wide-reaching diplomatic implications.
While Israel continues to reject the ICC’s accusations — calling them antisemitic and illegitimate — critics argue that Hungary’s withdrawal signals a growing erosion of international norms and accountability.
This development underscores deepening divides between Western allies and challenges the future of international justice mechanisms in addressing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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